#condiabolis

the water ghoul's eyes are lidded, as he sits amongst all of this -- luxury. only luxurious because of the night's implications. fausto has beaten him to the punch of any valentines day plans, that he might have been able to scrounge. being a ghoul making it somewhat harder to acquire the required materials for a fruitful holiday. things that might even hope to portray a fraction of the love & affection he holds in his heart, for the man whom brought his life to true fruition. though the candles, the decor (tasteful as his partner is known for), & the vintage on the table? it is not so far outside of his expectations, yet it is still everything he's ever hoped for. his lover always having been good to him.. but the novelty never wears off, when it comes to fausto.

he looks up, as he's guided down to his seat. pulled out, even. & he grips the clawed hand before fausto can go sit down, himself. his blue skin pokes forth from his back robes. purring, in looking up at the old man above him. "i love when you say things like that, amore." he muses a little thank you, in terms of primo's beloved terms of endearment. "but you don't have to break your back on my account. i'm perfectly capable of serving myself." he makes no moves, other than to plant a gentle kiss on the back of his lover's hand. maintaining eye contact, all the while. of course, the words are just a cheeky joke. he does want to be served. & he knows how fausto gets, when he's full of admiration. more exiting to see him insist. "Non ti merito, mio caro."

they've been working long into the night, & the ghuleh has gotten less sleep than she ought to have, with her service to the clergy at stake. yet, the ancient being found she required less sleep than normal ghouls. her white cloak warming in itself, though her decision to wrap an arm around herself is deliberate... certainly somewhat assisting, (in vain), with her newfound coldness. fabric working overtime in the recycled air of the library, where they sit pouring over old books on necromancy and resurgence. tales of resurrection, that even slightly matched with her elemental magic & natural abilities. trying to get a grasp on how it all worked, or if they could even build a base of a potential guide towards the answers they seek. she has an idle smile on her face as she looks through the book. one of her clawed fingers running underneath the words, to follow along with her slow reading. seeming to contemplate every word before moving on, & rereading them just to be sure. fausto had excused himself. though forgive her, she seems to have lost track of time. unsure as to exactly how long the young man has been gone for. however, when she feels the soft fabric along her exposed arm, the ghoul stills. head turns & smile brightens. the future papa taking his time to cover her, & applying extra care to tuck her in. securing frayed edges of the blanket over her chest. fawn's cheeks flush a gentle color. gaze cast downward until fausto comes 'round the table. lifting her fingers, & bringing her right hand to her chin. she then moves it slightly downward, and then finally towards primo. mouthing the words, 'thank you' -- with an appreciative smile. canting her head, just so.

long, elegant hair tied up in a low bun, the water ghoul's hood hangs from his un-glamoured neck. tapered tail dragging across the ground beneath, whilst he sways in proper form. he's lead by his lover, even so old as he is. a traditionalist through & through.. something water wouldn't have any other way. a dopey, lax, & adoring smile adorning his face. eyes lidded, whilst he gazes upon his painted papa. primo emeritus. fausto, always, to him. from introduction, to this very moment. romance never diminishing amongst the two of them. soulmates, if such a concept were of importance to the dark lord. brought together in their time of need, regardless. & water is eternally naught but amazed, by the man before him.

"--fausto." the word is as warning, as it is hushed. but there's no bite behind the water ghoul's bark. splayed out, with his ridged tail curling taut about the man's wrist. as taught as the muscles in his straining limbs. his raven hair is fanned beneath him. spread along the entire width of the bed they lie upon, & wound about small horns. a snake-like tongue flickering from betwixt his lips, bioluminescent skin glowing softly in the dim light of their bedroom. water's chest heaves, in all it's monstrous glory. his impending orgasm breaking, pitifully. scored by the lamenting keen that leaves him, despite fausto's clawed hand still caressing his pulsing shaft. blue-green, engorged & weeping it's natural lubricant. his own sharp talons reach gentler than a ghoul should be able, to part the long sea of his summoner's hair. done as he bucks his hips up weakly, but once. lips parted, & brows narrowed. the human's lips reaching up to brush over the sensitive keratin. his horns singing, whilst green gator eyes flutter closed. moaning wantonly, he gives the future papa's hair a teasing tug. lips canting, into a gentle smile. "you are as evil as satana himself, amore." he says. his head rolling, gills fanning. striped legs sliding down, while tapered tail now finds it's way around fausto's waist. eventually trailing lower still, to caress his groin indiscriminately with a hum. "i want you. please, caro. don't make me wait."

the greenhouse is quiet, though neither of the occupants mind too much. fausto has been tending to his indoor plants -- late at night, at the behest of water. a mere fleeting suggestion that he was cold, leading his summoner to suggest they take a trip to the greenhouse. primo accompanying him on an even more fleeting excuse of further work to be done. water does not offer any more than a curious smile beneath the screen of his mask, though it does not mean he is any less endeared. it made sense for the former papa emeritus to spend his infrequent free time doing something he enjoys.. yet the moment they arrive, the tall figure sheds his layers. showing his face, & letting his hood down. already de-glamoured beneath, having donned the more familiar uniform in every-day dress. though if anyone were to have looked too hard as they walked past, they would have seen the tip of water's tapered tail. the same black fabric he used to swim in now pooled at his waist. held up by chain links, while the cold blooded creature lounges beneath the heated lamp. looking every bit as young as when he first arrived, yet feeling very much his age. weary, as though he had outwardly grown decades alongside his lover. watching, observantly. hip length hair parts along his body as he peers through stringy strands. lazily curling himself into a seated position, upon green eyes catching fausto -- soon after his hands start to shake. work not so hindered, yet still he's beckoning him forth with naught more than his legs sliding open. robe skirts hiked up lithe thighs. "papa." perhaps it is sacrilege to continue referring to primo as such. perhaps not. either way, he doesn't care... it's not typical, yet meant to respect. spiny tail touching the floor, whilst webbed hands move from holding himself up straight. wrapping around his master's withered neck, & leaning into him. smiling tiredly before closing his eyes, to kiss the old man. slow, passionate... every bit as much as when his hair rivaled the ghoul's own. water's small horns softly butting into fausto's forehead, when he pulls away. only to kiss him again. hands now running from shoulders, down to hold those vibrating fingers. "relax with me, will you?" he begs. foreheads once again connecting them. "-- i'm sure your plants can wait."

silly girl , you were taught not to stare at others . hazel hues staring at him , head tilted to one side as she thought . pondering , questioning . everyone must be rude , too mean to him . seated on her chair , little legs swinging absentmindly , just watching him . whispers in her ears , hidden voices providing information , though naive mind ignored it all .